No logic behind Trump's 50% tariff, talks continue with US

‘Perhaps, this is a phase we have to overcome,’ Secretary, Economic Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi told reporters

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI: There is no logic or reason behind the Trump administration's "unilateral" move to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports to the US, a senior Indian diplomat said on Thursday.

Negotiations between the US and India continue even after the move, Secretary, Economic Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi told reporters hours after Washington doubled the tariffs on Indian goods.

"This is a unilateral decision. I don't think there is any logic or reason in the way it is done," Ravi told reporters on the sidelines of the LIDE Brazil India Forum here.

"Perhaps, this is a phase we have to overcome. The negotiations are still going on. So, we are confident that solutions will be found in the course of time in looking at mutually beneficial partnerships," he said while speaking on the sidelines of an event here.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped additional tariffs, apparently peeved at New Delhi's import of Russian oil. The move is likely to hit various sectors, like textiles, marine and leather exports.

In its first reaction to the move, India called it "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".